HISTORY (EDO STATE) Midwest comprising Edo/Delta provinces was the outcome of political agitation. Oba Akenzua II in 1947 had formed the Midwest Peoples Party (MWPP) as a vehicle to achieve the objectives of the movement for the creation of a future Midwest State at the inception of provincial administration which was introduced by the colonial government as far back as 1939. The 1951 constitution which created regional governments incorporated the Midwest-Benin Delta provinces into the Western Regional design. The British in their self interest felt that grouping ethnic nationalities into three regions no matter how, would make for them a less expensive administrative set up in Nigeria. The whole country was divided into three regions with Lagos as British colony as part of Western region.The desire for the creation of the Midwest State had been on the drawing board even during the Action Group crisis of 1962. The Midwest leading politicians including Chief Dennis Osadebay, Omo Osagie, Chief Festus Okotie Eboh and a host of other leaders of Midwest origin, intensified their efforts and Midwest State was eventually created in 1963. Throughout this period of the Midwest region, political leaders emerged through selection and imposition. There never was a true test of the people’s will to elect their own leaders.The Midwest was formed in June 1963 from Benin and Delta provinces of the Western Region and its capital was Benin City the cradle of black civilization. It was renamed a province in 1966, and in 1967 when the other provinces were divided up into several states, it remained territorially intact. On August 19th 1963 Chief Dennis Chukudebe Osadebay, a lawyer, who was born in Asaba on June 29, 1911was appointed and became the first Administrator of the newly created Midwest Region under the leadership of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. In February 1964 he became the first Premier of the region, a position he held until January 15, 1966 when the first military coup led by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Kaduna Nzeogwu over throw the government of Nigeria and Major Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi became the first military head of state. Lt.Col. David Ejoor who later becam a Major Gen. took over the leadership of the Midwest region on January 15, 1966. Born on 10th of January 1932 in Ovu in Bendel State, he strives to pilot the affairs of the region and improve the economic well being of the state and her people. His programmes and policies were disrupted by the civil war that broke out in Nigeria in 1967. This Army officer who later became a politician served as Chief of Army Staff under Gen. Yakubu Gowon led administration. It’s on record that Ejoor was the first military governor of Midwestern state. His rule was cut short by the invasion and occupation of Midwestern state by Biafra secessionist troops in August 9, 1967.Major (Dr.) Albert Nwazu Okonkwo was briefly the Military Administrator of the \o “Mid-Western Region, Nigeria” Mid-Western State of \o “Nigeria” Nigeria in mid-1967 during an attempt to establish the region as the independent \o “Republic of Benin (unrecognized state)” Republic of Benin early in the \o “Nigerian Civil War” Nigerian Civil War. Okonkwo was a Major in the Biafran Army Medical Corps. He was trained as a physician in the \o “United States” United States, and was married to an American. He is also the great-uncle of \o “OFWGKTA” OFWGKTA leader \o “Tyler, the Creator” Tyler, the Creator. On 9th August, 1967 a force of 3,000 “Biafra” Biafran troops crossed the “Niger River” Niger bridge, with one group making a dash for “Benin City” Benin City. On 14 August the Biafran command in “Enugu” Enugu announced that Major Okonkwo had been appointed Military Administrator of the Mid-Western Region. The new administration faced resistance from several segments of the population. Morale was poor. The Liberation Army commander, a Yoruba colonel named Victor Banjo, and three majors were later discovered to have been negotiating with the Nigerian army, were tried for high treason and executed by firing squad in Enugu. The Nigerian Army regrouped and advanced towards Benin City under the leadership of Colonel \o “Murtala Mohammed” Murtala Mohammed, recapturing the city on 20 September 1967. The day before, Okonkwo had been declared Governor of the “autonomous, independent and sovereign republic of Benin”. In his broadcast declaring the independent Republic of Benin, Okonkwo belatedly tried to rally non-Igbo groups. After the city fell, Okonkwo was thought to have fled to \o “Igbo people” Ibo areas near \o “Ubiaja” Ubiaja. Brig.Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia was appointed Military Administrator following the liberation of the state from Biafra secessionist occupation in September 1967. He became the first military governor of the newly created state “Midwest state” on October 26, 1967 to July 1975. The Midwest state was later renamed Bendel state, part of which in turn became Edo state. Samuel Ogbemudia was born on September 17th, 1932 in Benin City now Edo State. He dedicated himself to reconstruction after the war. He laid the master plan for the development of the state. He contributed immensely in the areas of sport, urban development, education, public transportation, housing and commerce. His administration saw the state in the part of development. Despite the allegation of corruption level against him and other eleven Military Governors by Murtala Mohammed administration which he was later acquitted, his mark remains indelible in the history of the state. The renaming of the State in 1976 was a reflection of its pre-independence colonial political arrangement of Benin and Delta provinces. Born on September 25th 1939 at Agenebode in Etsako West Local Government of Edo state, Col. George Agbazika Innih who later became a Major General took over from Ogbemudia and served as the Military Governor of Midwest state on August 2nd 1975 and in 1976. The state was renamed Bendel State and he became the Military Governor of the new Bendel State, a position he occupied for eight months till march 1976. Immediately he was appointed Military Governor of the state he swoops in to action to build on the legacies of the previous administration and expose any shoddy deal engaged on. He immediately set up two committees, one of which was to ascertain the fiscal position of the government, while the other was to inspect and report on all projects undertaken by government. The action led to a lot of revelation which prompted the Innih led administration to dissolve and re-organized others. The administration also set up the Odje commission to probe the composition, structure, functions and operations of 74 statutory corporations, boards and government-owned or sponsored companies. As a result of these steps, some permanent Secretaries and other serving officers were retired from the service. It was a government that instinct fear into the work force in the state parading itself as a no nonsense administration. Commodore Husaini Abdullahi who was born on March 3rd 1939 in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa state took charge of the affairs of the state from March 1976 to July 1978 during the Military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. Abdullahi who was promoted until he got to the rank of Vice-Admiral before retirement from the force served the nation at various capacities before bringing his wealth of experience to bear in governing the state. For the next one year and two months Brigadier Gen. Abubakar Waziri took charge of the affairs of the state. He served as the Military Administrator of Bendel state from July 24th 1978 to September 30, 1979. The agile and intelligent Military office acted in dual capacity as a Military Administrator as well as Brigade Commander, 4 Mechanized Brigade, Nigeria Army Benin City. His performance in this dual capacity saw him promoted to the rank of Major General before his retirement from the service. Waziri as an Administrator was no nonsense man that believes in service and he contributed in no little way to the development of the state. General Olusegun Obasanjo led the Military to a peaceful transition from a Military to a Civilian government in 1979. An election was conducted and Alhaji Shehu Shagari assume the leadership position of Nigeria and all Military Administrators were all send back to the barrack and focus on their primary responsibility of protecting our territory. The change in the leadership of the nation also saw a change in the leadership of Bendel state. Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) produced the executive governor of Bendel state in a well contested election which saw the first Prof. ever in the history of Nigeria becoming the governor of Bendel state. Prof. Ambrose Folorusho Alli born in Idoami in Ondo state became the civilian governor of Bendel state from October 1979 to September 1983. He was the first executive governor of Bendel state under the political party platform of UPN. He was not a push over in terms of leading Bendel towards development. His performance in office prompted the State University to be named after him. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma is a testimony and a signature that the people of the state appreciated his many contributions to ensure the state is in the fore front of development and human capacity development.The second coming of Samuel Ogbemudia was short but it’s on record that he is the only man alive that have ruled the state as a Military and a civilian governor. This was made possible based on his performance as a Military governor in the state. During his brief return as governor under the brief rule of civilian government, Ogbemudia was elected governor of Bendel state in October 1983 under the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN), replacing Abrose Alli of the UPN. Samuel Ogbemudia under National Party of Nigeria (NPN) became the second civilian governor of the state. However, his second coming lasted for just three months and could not contribute meaningfully as desired to the development of the state. He lost his position December as governor that year when Muhammadu Buhari led a coup on December 31st 1983 to unseat Alhaji Shehu Shagari. The administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari was toppled and the Military left the barrack and abandon their primary responsibility “territorial defense” to rule the nation once more. The coming on board of a new leadership in the country saw Brigadier Jeremiah Timbut Usani a native of Langtang in Pleatue State Northern Nigeria become the governor of Bendel state. Born on Febuary 16th 1943, Brig. Usani served as Military Governor of Bendel state from January 1984 to August 27th 1985. The leadership of the state changes yet again as a result of change in the leadership of the country through a palace coup led by Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Gen IBB as he is fondly called took over power and became the Head of state and commander in chief of the Arm forces of Nigeria. The changes also brought new Military Administrators on board. Col. John Mark Inienger was appointed the Military Gorvernor of Bendel state. Born on April 16th, 1945 in Mbaduku, Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue state Northern Nigeria, he served as a Military Governor of Bendel State from September 1985 to July 1988. A Kogi state born Col took over the affairs of the state on July 1988. Col. Jonathan Tunde Ogbeha who latter rose to the rank of a general before his retirement served as the Military Governor of the state from July 1988 till August 1990. This Lokoja born indigene (born 1945) under Babangida’s administration piloted the affairs of the state for two years where he tries to consolidate on the achievement of other Military Governors that came before him. This intelligent Military Officer work for the nation in various capacity before assuming the responsibility of sailing the Ship of the state to economic, social, education and human development destination. He had just two years to contribute his quota before vacating the seat for another Col. Col. John Ewerekumoh Yeri took over the leadership of the state and was saddled with the responsibility of guarding the state to it greatest height at least surpassing the records of development already created in the state. Yeri served as the Military governor of the state from August 1990 to August 1991 and then continued as governor of the new created Edo state (August 27th, 1991) from 1991 to January 1992. Babangida, the then Military President split the state in to two; namely Edo and Delta state. He was the first Military Governor of the state and assisted in the transition from Military administration to civilian government. The move was truncated by the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election which was adjudged the best ever in the history of our electoral process.John Odigie Oyegun born on 12th August 1939 in Warri, Delta state became the first Executive Governor of Edo state. He was elected under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the transition to democracy launched by General Ibrahim Babangida. Before venturing into politics he served the state and country in various capacities contributing immensely to the development of the nation as a top Federal Civil Servant. He served the people of the Edo state as the governor from January 1992 to November 1993. He was removed from office after General Sani Abacha led yet another coup to unseat Chief Shonekon after IBB stepped aside, with a promise to come back to lime light and make himself relevant.Col. Mohammed Abdul-Salam Onuka took over from the Civilian Governor of the state at the start of the Military Administration of Sani Abacha. He served as Military Administrator of the state from December 9th 1993 to September 14th 1994. Col. Onuka took interest in the Tourism sector of the state recognizing that the state have tourist attraction site that will yield revenue for the young Edo state if properly tapped. He made attempt to develop the tourism potential of the scenic area of Ososo but could not fulfill the dream of making Ososo tourist heaven before another colleague in uniform took over the leadership of the state. On September 14, 1994 Col. Bassey Asuquo assumed the leadership of Edo state as the Military Governor. He took over from Col. Onuka and served as Governor of the state from 1994 till August 22 1996. He retires as a Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army. This role created other opportunities for him in life. Group Captain. Baba Adamu Iyam became the Military Governor on August 22 1996, a position he occupy till August 7, 1998. Coming into leadership in a Commando like format showing the caliber of leaders the Military has produced. He sacked 8,000 Edo state workers from service. He did not only stop there, in February 1997, he halted all grants to the Edo State University Ekpoma. This he did because he felt the government ought not to fund Universities. After halting the fund, he appointed a sole administrator for the University who will report to him directly. The academia in the state as well as workers will not forget in a hurry what befell them during the reign of Adamu Iyam. Navy Captain Anthony Ibe Onyearugbulem took over the affairs of the state from August 7 1998 till May 29 1999 when the country once again returned to democracy. Born on July 9 1955 in Owalla Avuvu in Ikeduru in Imo state, Onyearugbulem tried to make chairmanship of the council of Obas in Edo state a rotational position, an affront to the king of the ancient Benin Kingdom. In an attempt to increase voters’ registration before the schedule transition to democracy, Onyearugbulem warned that parents and guardians would have to produce their registration cards for their children to be admitted to state school. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion became the governor of Edo state under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on May 29th 1999 after the return of democracy. Born on May 13th 1957, he ruled the state from 1999 to May 29, 2007. During his reign, he was known as the action governor for he cleared the bulk of salaries owed Edo state workers especially Observer staff for 19 months. His administration is certainly remembered for human capacity development with the absorption of all casual workers into the main stream of the Civil service in the state. His administration will also be remembered for the fight against trafficking in human and prostitution, the fight was led by his wife Eki Igbinedion. After he left office, he was declared wanted in January 2008 by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on 142 counts of financial fraud. The allegations are that he embezzled 24 million dollars i.e 12 million pound using fake companies. On May 29, 2007, PDP produced Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor as the governor of Edo state. He served as the Civilian Governor of the state from May 29, 2007 to November 11, 2008 after the court nullified his election. He was elected as governor on April on the PDP platform. On March 2008, the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal declared that Osubor’s election was invalid, and asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate and decleared Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole of the Action Congress (AC) Party the winner. On November 11, 2008, a Federal Appeal Court sitting in Benin City upheld the ruling of the state’s election petitions tribunal, declaring Oshiomhole to be the governor of Edo state. The decision was based on several voting irregularities. He was born on Friday, October 5, 1951 in Iruekpen in the present day Esan West Local Government Area of Edo state. Adams Aliu Oshiomhole, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) became the governor of the state after the court ruling that decleared him the winner of the April 2007 governorship election in the state. He assumes office on November 12, 2008 after the court declaration. Born on April 4, 1952 at Iyanmoh, near Auchi in Edo state, he won a second term as governor based on his developmental prowess in the area of infrastructural development in the state. He is presently the incumbent governor of the state serving his second term in office. This is the journey of our dear beloved state so far, we have gradually moved from one stage to the other in the history of our development. Our story may not be the best as at today but very preferable comparing her progress with other states across the country. We are marching forward as a state and we believe that the future of our dear state is bright and there is hope around the atmosphere of the state and sure in no distant time we shall reach the promise land. Happy 22 anniversary Edo state, the HEART BEAT of the Nation.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 08:19:01 +0000
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